Iraq’s Exclusion: Why Iran Chose Oman as Mediator with the U.S.

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In a move that has raised many questions within Iraq’s political circles, Iran opted to hold indirect talks with the United States over its nuclear program in Oman, rather than Iraq, despite its close ties with the Shiite political forces in Baghdad since 2003.

 

The first round of talks concluded on April 12, 2025, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, exchanging views and positions on Iran's nuclear program on behalf of their respective governments.

The discussions were held indirectly, mediated by Oman's Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi, who posted on X on April 12 to announce that the talks took place in a "friendly atmosphere," emphasizing that the aim was to reach a "fair and binding agreement."

Oman over Iraq

Despite Iraq being politically, geographically, and culturally closer to Iran, especially since 2003, Tehran chose to hold its talks with the United States in Oman, completely bypassing Baghdad, according to observers.

Iraqi politician Hamid al-Sayed noted that Oman lacks militias and does not belong to what is known as the "Axis of Resistance." 

Nonetheless, it maintains a strong relationship with Iran, which, in certain aspects—particularly economic and diplomatic—some argue is even stronger than Tehran's ties with Shiite actors in Iraq.

In an interview on April 10, al-Sayed added that the volume of trade between Iran and Oman far exceeds that with Iraq, reflecting the stable and enduring nature of their bilateral interests, in contrast to Iran's dealings with Iraqi parties.

"Tehran does not tie its political future to Iraq, but rather places greater trust in Oman, allowing it to manage its indirect negotiations with the United States," al-Sayed noted.

He questioned the stance of Iraqi factions that fight on Iran's behalf and advocate for its interests, while Tehran chooses to exclude Iraq from such negotiations.

On X, al-Sayed wrote, asking, "How does it feel for those who see Iran as their strategic depth, yet fail to secure its interests and are incapable of asserting any presence of their own?" This, he suggested, referred to Tehran’s allies in Iraq.

Iraq's Marginalization

In the same vein, Iraqi researcher Iyad Thabit echoed Hamid al-Sayed’s remarks, asserting that Iran views Iraq merely as a battleground to settle scores with the United States through missile strikes and militia operations. 

As a result, Tehran regards Iraq as nothing more than a backyard, he added.

Thabit told Al-Estiklal that Iran's refusal to hold talks with Washington in Baghdad is, in effect, an indirect admission that Iraq lacks the necessary independence. In Tehran’s view, Iraq is merely an extension of its own interests and cannot be trusted as a venue for major agreements, despite Oman’s normalization with "Israel."

The Sultanate did not sign an agreement to normalize relations with "Israel," despite having been closer to the country than other regional states for an extended period.

The late Sultan Qaboos bin Said hosted three Israeli prime ministers in the country: Yitzhak Rabin in 1994, Shimon Peres in 1996, and Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018.

In a striking irony, Iraq had previously succeeded in playing the role of mediator between Saudi Arabia and Iran, hosting four rounds of talks in Baghdad. 

These ultimately led to a reconciliation between the two sides, brokered by China in March 2023, following a rift that had begun in 2016.

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Oman's Neutrality

In contrast, Omani academic and expert on Gulf and Middle Eastern affairs, Abdullah Baabood, suggested that Iran's choice of Oman to relay its response to the United States was due to the Sultanate’s neutrality and the mutual trust between Muscat and Tehran.

Baabood reminded The BBC in a statement on April 10 that the previous rounds of talks in Oman, which led to the signing of the 2015 nuclear agreement, were marked by absolute secrecy and took place without Oman's direct involvement in the discussions. Instead, Muscat simply provided the suitable environment and venue.

In its foreign relations, Oman has adhered to a policy of neutrality, a principle established by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said since he assumed power in 1970.

The foreign policy of this Gulf state is based on three key principles: neutrality, mediation, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Perhaps the most notable words of the late Sultan Qaboos in this regard are encapsulated in his famous statement, "I completely avoid the politics of appearances and hollow echoes, and I do not seek to steal the spotlight. Our foreign policy is summed up in neutrality and a firm refusal to interfere in the affairs of others."

In 1971, the Sultanate joined the United Nations and the Arab League. A decade later, in 1981, Oman, the second-largest Gulf state by area, became a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Since then, Oman has maintained a neutral foreign policy on some of the region's most sensitive issues, such as the Iran-Iraq war, which lasted from 1980 to 1988.

Muscat adhered to its neutral stance, unlike other Gulf states that sided with Baghdad due to concerns over the expansion of Iranian influence in the region, while simultaneously preserving its distinguished relations with Tehran.

In another example, following the signing of the Camp David Accords between Egypt and "Israel" in 1978, and the subsequent Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in 1979, several Arab states boycotted Egypt. 

However, Oman chose not to join the boycott, maintaining its diplomatic relations with Egypt without compromising its ties with other countries.

Similarly, during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Oman took a neutral stance, despite most Gulf Cooperation Council members condemning the move and supporting military intervention to liberate Kuwait.

In a more recent example, Oman did not participate in the military campaign of the so-called "Arab Coalition Forces" against the Houthis in Yemen in 2015. 

Additionally, it maintained a neutral position during the crisis that erupted between several Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Qatar (2017–2021).

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Negotiation Shifts

Even when discussing a potential second round of talks between the United States and Iran, Iraq does not feature in the list of proposed venues to host the two adversaries. Instead, there are discussions underway about selecting Rome as the next capital after Muscat.

“Iran is still weighing plans about the venue for the next round of indirect negotiations with the U.S.,” as reported by Tasnim.

“The informed source told Tasnim on Monday that the second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the US will be definitely hosted by Oman again, although the venue for the talks is still unclear.”

“A number of Western media outlets are trying to announce certain countries as the final venue for the negotiations, but Iran is evaluating the proposed locations and receiving Oman’s views before giving the final answer,” the source added.

A second round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran is set to take place in Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Monday, according to the ANSA news agency.

"We received a request from the interested parties and from Oman, which is playing the role of mediator, and we have given a positive response," Tajani was quoted by ANSA as saying at the World Expo exhibition in the Japanese city of Osaka.

Rome has often hosted these types of talks, Tajani said, and is “prepared to do everything it takes to support all negotiations that can lead to a resolution of the nuclear issue and to building peace.”

“A second round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran is expected to take place in Rome on Saturday,” two unnamed sources told Axios on April 13.

Additionally, French News Agency (AFP) quoted the Dutch foreign minister and an unnamed diplomatic source as saying that the upcoming round of talks on Iran's nuclear program will be held in Rome.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp confirmed during an EU meeting on April 14 that the talks will take place in the Italian capital, a statement later corroborated by two diplomats based in Rome.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baqai said, "Regarding the location of the next round of negotiations, we will decide after receiving the official position from the Omani side. It is likely that the upcoming round of talks will be held somewhere other than Oman."

"The location is not of great significance; what matters is that the format and framework of interaction between Iran and the United States remain unchanged," Baqai emphasized during a press conference on April 14 that "the upcoming round of negotiations will be mediated by Oman, even if it is not held in the Sultanate."